A Rookie In The Baseball Team Is Too Good [EN]: Chapter 331

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good – Episode 331

Baseball Team Newbie Is Too Good Episode 331

78. The Road Not Taken (5)

Seo Chang-gi, the general manager of the KH Cannons, was having a really tough season.

Perhaps it was only natural. Ryu Jang-ho and Jimmy Morris, the Cannons’ key players in batting and pitching last season, had both left the team.

Filling the void left by the two players who advanced to the major leagues, and responding to the fiercer scrutiny from rival teams than in previous years.

One day in mid-July, after struggling to raise the team’s ranking, which had once fallen to 8th place, to 4th place.

Seo, who had visited the CEO’s office after a game, heard that longed-for name after a long time.

“Ah, is that so? You received a call from Special Advisor Kim?”

For a brief moment, a hint of disappointment crossed Seo’s face.

He seemed a little upset that he hadn’t been contacted directly.

Noticing this, Park Hong-ju, the ‘Sakhalin Park’ vice president, started to speak ill of Ji-seop again.

“That’s how all young guys are these days! They don’t even call to check in, but when they’re in a hurry, they come running to the elders? Anyway, that Qingdao guy has no sense of loyalty…”

When Park reacted like this again, Seo couldn’t help but defend Ji-seop.

To Seo, Ji-seop was more than just a smart junior in the baseball world and a reliable subordinate.

“He must be busy, just busy. Special Advisor Kim is at an age where he needs to work hard.”

Perhaps he was reminded of the days when he was running around frantically with Ji-seop.

Nodding quietly, Seo spoke again.

“Anyway… Haha, it’s nothing new, but I think that friend Special Advisor Kim is really something.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“Don’t you think so, Vice President?”

Seo smiled gently.

“It hasn’t even been a few months since he went to the United States, and he’s already attending meetings to decide the club’s policy… Isn’t that really amazing?”

“Hmm… Well, that’s true.”

Sakhalin Park stroked his chin with a smug look.

He looked as if he was saying, ‘I really saw the right person.’

However, Seo’s worried voice followed.

“But since the stage is the stage, I’m a little worried, to be honest.”

“Worried?”

“You know it well, Vice President, our Special Advisor Kim is a kind friend by nature. It’s good that he’s smart and quick-witted, but basically, he doesn’t have a ruthless side, does he?”

Seo put his hands on his knees.

“That was an advantage in Korea, but how ruthless are the American guys? They speak shamelessly and don’t care about face in front of their own interests. I wonder if Special Advisor Kim will be able to properly express his opinions in front of those guys…”

As someone who had frequent contact with people in the American baseball world, it was only natural for Seo to have such thoughts.

However, a meaningful smile appeared on the lips of Sakhalin Park, who was listening to Seo’s words.

“Don’t worry. I had a feeling that would happen, so I told that Qingdao guy a ‘secret plan.'”

“A secret plan?”

“Yes, the Tampa Bay Rays, was it? Because those guys are so stubborn, I told him one of the methods I used to use often in my younger days. It’s like this…”

Whisper, whisper, whisper.

Seo, who was listening to Sakhalin Park’s secret plan, couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

“Ah, no, Vice President…”

A slightly dumbfounded expression.

“Is that really okay?”

“What’s not okay?”

Sakhalin Park smiled slyly.

“If you’re going to make something happen, you sometimes have to resort to these kinds of tricks.”

* * *

At the very moment when the KH Cannons’ top executives were having this conversation about their faraway subordinate.

Ji-seop was attending an emergency meeting held in the Tropicana Field conference room.

The meeting was to decide whether to acquire Vincent Hiyama, the biggest name in this trade market.

To win the first World Series in the team’s history, should they acquire Vincent Hiyama?

Or, to protect the team’s future, should they withdraw from further negotiations here?

“Therefore, if we apply the variable of Vincent Hiyama to the current prediction model…”

Today’s meeting began with the presentation of prediction models from each department of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Public Cooperation, Finance and Accounting, Marketing, Ticket Sales and Fan Service, and so on.

Various departments presented their expectations and concerns surrounding the acquisition of Vincent Hiyama, but the most notable was, of course, the Baseball Operations department.

“Since the presentation is getting long, our Baseball Operations department will summarize it simply.”

The person who took the microphone as the representative of the Baseball Operations department was Rebecca Carney, the deputy director of the Baseball R&D team.

“According to the prediction model of our Tampa Bay Rays’ baseball database, [Uncle Charlie – likely referring to their internal data analysis system or a specific algorithm]… The current probability of our team winning the World Series is 9.5%.”

Ji-seop was watching the screen with a nervous heart.

At this point, Ji-seop also knew to some extent about the common sense of the major league front office.

As of mid-July, the general judgment criterion of major league front offices was a 10% chance of winning.

Even if it seems a little low, the major league is a place where as many as 30 teams compete. 10% is valuable.

‘If it’s 10%, you’re qualified to challenge for the championship, if it’s 11%, it’s worth selling prospects to challenge, and if it exceeds 12%, you’ll be criticized if you don’t win…’

So, at this time, the winning percentage that Ji-seop wanted was exactly 11%.

If it exceeds 11%, there will be no need for a long debate. Everyone will recognize that now is the right time to win.

‘I won’t even need to use the secret plan that the vice president told me.’

While thinking that, Ji-seop was biting his lower lip when Rebecca Carney continued to speak.

“And if Vincent Hiyama is acquired, the probability of our Tampa Bay Rays winning is… It was found to be 11.6%.”

11.6%, the moment Ji-seop heard Carney’s words, he clenched his fist.

‘That’s it.’

That’s enough.

If it exceeds 11%, there’s justification, and if it’s 11.6%, there’s no need to say more.

In fact, as soon as the data came out, the conference room began to stir. Ji-seop thought that an opinion to acquire Vincent Hiyama would come out as it is-

“That’s enough.”

A word from Jeffrey Taylor’s circle, from the Tampa Bay Rays’ board of directors.

It was a word almost similar to Ji-seop’s inner thoughts, but the meaning contained in it was completely different from Ji-seop.

“I was willing to consider it if the winning percentage exceeded 12%… If it’s 11.6%, there’s no need to see more.”

Saying that, a middle-aged man shook off his seat and stood up.

It was later learned that his name was Romano Campisi.

He was a businessman who owned 22% of the Tampa Bay Rays’ shares.

“Taylor, let’s wrap up today’s discussion. It would be better to call off the acquisition of Vincent Hiyama.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Jeffrey Taylor said.

“But shouldn’t we listen a little more? It’s a briefing that the Baseball Operations staff prepared by taking time out of their busy schedules…”

“Huh, I also took time out of my busy schedule to come here?”

Even if the acquisition of Vincent Hiyama was put aside, it was impolite to leave the meeting in the middle.

Perhaps sensing the disapproving gazes of the people, he put down the fedora he had been wearing halfway and said.

“Okay, okay.”

It was a tone as if he was doing a great favor.

“Since we’ve gathered like this, it wouldn’t be bad to hear each other’s opinions. Instead, after hearing the opinions, Taylor, can I leave… Is that okay?”

When Jeffrey Taylor nodded, Campisi looked around the conference room and opened his mouth.

“Okay, everyone! Let’s hear it. It’s 11.6%. Is there anyone who thinks we should acquire Vincent despite this probability?”

At this time, Ji-seop thought that at least one person would come forward.

Because it was 11.6%. It was only 0.4% short of 12%, which is evaluated as a fool if you don’t win.

In a way, the highest winning percentage that the Tampa Bay Rays could have had since its founding.

However, despite this high probability, what fell in the conference room was a heavy silence.

“…….”

“…….”

Of course, the reason was obvious.

[Yeah, it’s the highest probability ever. But it’s not right to come forward here.]

[Director Campisi is the person with the highest shareholding after the owner, right? There’s no reason to be targeted by such a person…]

[If the general manager comes forward, we might know, but how can we bring up the story of acquiring him here?]

Everyone was hesitant, looking at each other and unable to come forward.

It was Director Romano Campisi who was making an expression of ‘I knew it’ in the heavy silence.

“Fortunately. Everyone at the Tampa Bay Rays can make rational judgments like me.”

Is that enough?

He looked back at the owner.

“Taylor, as you can see, everyone has the same opinion. There seems to be no need for further discussion, so I’ll stop here…”

“No, Mr. Campisi. There’s someone over there who raised their hand?”

“Raise your hand?”

Director Romano Campisi turned his head with a look of surprise.

What came into his view was an Asian man raising his hand high in one corner of the conference room.

It was Ji-seop.

* * *

“Ah, is that a rebuttal?”

Director Campisi glanced at the nameplate placed in front of Ji-seop.

“Assistant Director of the Future Strategy Planning Department… Haha, the Tampa Bay Rays have a very healthy discussion culture, right?”

It was clearly a sarcastic tone.

However, Director Campisi did not try to stop Ji-seop from speaking.

“Okay. Tell me. Why do you think we should acquire Vincent Hiyama?”

“Rather than acquiring him… I raised my hand because I wanted to ask for the director’s opinion.”

Ji-seop continued.

“A winning percentage of 11.6% is not a small number. The Boston Red Sox, who were the winning team last year, had 11.8%, right? But you say the winning percentage is low… I’m curious about the director’s opinion.”

“Ah, what percentage of winning would satisfy you?”

Director Campisi reacted as if he had expected that much rebuttal.

“I said 12% earlier… Frankly, I think it’s worth challenging if it’s 14% or more.”

The conference room stirred once again at the words winning percentage of 14%.

This was because 14% was a figure that only LA Dodgers, who had once swept the FA [Free Agent] market, could secure.

“Hey, why are you so surprised again? Unlike the Dodgers or the Yankees, we are a club that needs to think more about the future of the team, right?”

He also had a tongue that was not easy to deal with.

“Other clubs can spend a lot of money to acquire FAs, but we can’t. Therefore, our Tampa Bay must value the future of the team, the value of prospects, even more.”

“The future of the team?”

“That’s right, the future of the team! Christopher Ben is a player who can be said to be the future of our Tampa Bay Rays, right?”

Director Campisi looked around.

“Even if we bring Vincent, he will get FA qualification next year. So the period we can actually use him is only half a year… What are we going to do if we sell the future of the team to use him for that half a year?”

That was right.

Ji-seop had been agonizing over this point for a long time.

Honestly, it was a situation where Ji-seop would have stepped back if it were his usual self.

Step back and ask for the opinions of many people. And find a more rational judgment.

‘Yeah, it would have been like that originally, but…’

The situation was different now.

He had already made up his mind to walk ‘the road not taken.’

Even if someone curses, even if they send jeers that he is foolish.

It was time to walk forward without caring.

So, the answer Ji-seop gave was as follows.

“What exactly is the ‘future of the team’ that the director cherishes so much?”

“What?”

“I thought it was winning. Winning the World Series.”

Ji-seop said with a brazen expression.

“The purpose of a baseball team is to win, right? We raise players to win someday, we dig into data to win… Isn’t that what we do?”

“…….”

In Director Campisi’s eyes, there was a look of ‘this brat’, but Ji-seop didn’t care.

“But isn’t this strange? The winning percentage is 11.6%, and if we make a decision now, we can finally challenge for the championship… You’re bringing up ‘the future of the team’ again here.”

“Hey, so my story is…”

“There’s no need for other words. Please make sure of that here.”

What is the future of the team?

Ji-seop looked at Director Campisi.

“Wasn’t it winning the World Series? If not, what is it?”

“No, winning is important! We have to do it someday! That’s right, but… Damn it, I don’t have time, so why am I playing this discussion game…”

Was he really busy?

Or was he unhappy with this Asian employee who was refuting his words one by one?

The exact reason was unknown, but here, Director Campisi made a slightly radical statement.

“Winning, winning, winning! Hey, let’s stop talking about childish things like a three-year-old!”

A voice full of annoyance.

“There are clubs where winning is the best value! There’s the Yankees, the Dodgers! Famous clubs with a long reputation!”

“…You mean we’re not?”

“No, of course not! If we win, will we get tens of millions of dollars in donations like the Yankees? Will tens of thousands of fans buy season tickets like the Dodgers? Frankly, no!”

We’re a small market.

A club with nothing!

Director Campisi was furious.

“What’s the point of winning in this kind of club! Rather than winning for the sake of a handful of fans, it’s more important to consistently go to the postseason! Why? Because that’s how we can get prize money from the league office! At least then, the audience will come in a little!”

“Wait a minute, Director Campisi! I think you’re getting too emotional now…”

Some of the directors got up and calmed Director Campisi down.

“And you! You sit down too. At this point, you’ve heard enough of our directors’ opinions, right?”

At the words of the directors, David Wilson and John LaMar slyly approached and grabbed Ji-seop’s arm.

It meant that the opinion had been conveyed enough, so let’s step back at this point.

However, Ji-seop was rather taking a step forward.

“I fully understand what the director is saying, but… I’m sorry. You have to challenge for the championship this season.”

“What?”

Director Campisi, who was barely trying to suppress his anger, jumped up from his seat again.

“What authority do you have? What authority do you have to tell us what to do?”

“Yes, that’s right. I certainly don’t have the authority. I’m just an assistant director at best. But…”

Ji-seop slowly walked out with his hand inside his jacket.

When he reached the table in the middle of the conference room, he took something out of his arms and put it down.

The only secret plan that the man who defeated the Russian president, Sakhalin Park, had given to Ji-seop.

The identity of that secret plan is-

“It’s a recorder.”

Ji-seop said.

“The contents of today’s meeting have been recorded without exception. Your thoughts on Vincent Hiyama, the probability of winning when he is acquired. And…”

Ji-seop’s gaze was directed at Director Campisi.

“Even the director’s thoughts on the future of the team.”

“Wh-what?!”

While feeling everyone gasp, Ji-seop continued.

“Owner, director, and all colleagues of the Tampa Bay Rays below the general manager… Please acquire Vincent Hiyama. And please move forward to win together.”

Dugun, dugun, dugun [onomatopoeia for a rapidly beating heart].

A wildly beating heart.

Ji-seop pressed that heart down with his molars.

“If my opinion is not accepted, I will upload this recording file to the Tampa Bay Rays’ fan site.”

I’m looking forward to it.

Ji-seop revealed his white teeth.

“As someone said, to the fans of our Tampa Bay Rays, who are ‘not even a handful’…

And the following words.

“I wonder what kind of reaction they will show after listening to this recording file.”